scholarly journals Breast Cancer Early Detection in Eswatini: Evaluation of a Training Curriculum and Patient Receipt of Recommended Follow-Up Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 1349-1357
Author(s):  
Daniel S. O'Neil ◽  
Sifiso Nxumalo ◽  
Cebisile Ngcamphalala ◽  
G Tharp ◽  
Judith S. Jacobson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Breast Health ◽  
Training Curriculum ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
National Breast

PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) is detected at late stages in sub-Saharan Africa. We piloted a BC early-detection program in Eswatini aimed at increasing breast health knowledge and clinical skills. We also aimed to determine the proportion of patients with breast abnormalities who completed referral to breast specialty clinics. METHODS Nurses and counselors from five human immunodeficiency virus and/or antiretroviral therapy clinics underwent training in BC and clinical breast examination (CBE). We compared knowledge and skill examinations completed before, immediately after, and 90 days after training. Nurses then screened female clinic patients ≥ 18 years for breast symptoms, examined those with symptoms, and referred women with CBE abnormalities to a surgeon or the national breast clinic. Consenting women were contacted at 30 and 60 days after screening to determine if they had completed referral. RESULTS In 2019, 44 nurses underwent training. Median scores (interquartile range) on pretraining, immediate post-training, and 90-day post-training knowledge examinations were 17.5 (16-19), 20 (19-21), and 20 (19-21), respectively. Median scores (interquartile range) on pretraining, immediate post-training, and 90-day post-training skills examinations were 10 (7-11), 23 (21.5-25), and 23 (22-24), respectively. Compared with pretraining scores, post-training scores were significantly improved ( P < .0001 for all comparisons). From June 2019 to April 2020, a total of 9,502 clinic patients were screened for breast symptoms: 150 (2%) underwent CBE, 93 (62%) were referred for further evaluation, and 88 (97%) were included in the study. Of those, 54 (61%) completed referral. Referral completion was not associated with age, employment, relationship status, or prior experiences related to BC. CONCLUSION The program's training curriculum improved breast health knowledge and clinical skills. Efforts are needed to improve patients' receipt of recommended evaluation for breast abnormalities.

scholarly journals Breast cancer and breast screening: perceptions of Chinese migrant women living in New Zealand

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Sally Rose ◽  
Alison Foster ◽  
Sue Pullon ◽  
Beverley Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
Breast Screening ◽  
Breast Health ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
National Breast

INTRODUCTION: Migrant Chinese constitute a significant and increasing proportion of New Zealand women. They have lower rates of participation in breast cancer screening than other New Zealanders, but reasons for this are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting Chinese women’s understanding of, and access to, breast health services, to better understand reasons for low participation in screening and their experiences of breast cancer clinic care. METHODS: The participants were 26 Chinese migrant women – 19 recruited in the community and seven recruited from 17 eligible women attending a breast clinic between 2008 and 2010 in Wellington, New Zealand. The design was that of a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews and thematic content analysis. FINDINGS: There were low levels of awareness about the national breast screening programme and limited engagement with preventive primary care services. Concerns about privacy and a range of communication difficulties were identified that related to oral language, lack of written information in Chinese, and limited understanding about Chinese perceptions of ill health and traditional Chinese medicine by New Zealand health professionals. CONCLUSION: Addressing communication barriers for Chinese migrant women has the potential to raise awareness about breast cancer and breast health, and to increase successful participation in breast cancer screening. Greater efforts are needed to ensure this group has an understanding of, and is engaged with a primary care provider. Such efforts are key to improving health for this growing sector of the New Zealand population. KEYWORDS: Breast cancer; Chinese; mammography; mass screening; New Zealand

scholarly journals Assessment of required resources for implementation of national breast cancer screening program in Serbia

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Nemanja Majstorovic ◽  
Snezana Simic ◽  
Bojana Matejic ◽  
Mladen Cudanov
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
National Program ◽  
Financial Feasibility ◽  
National Breast ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Radiology Technicians

Introduction. High values of standardized mortality and morbidity rates of standardized cancer mortality in Serbia, especially colorectal, cervical and breast cancer led to creation of national programs for their early detection and engagement of the international support for their implementation. Objective. Assessment of required resources (time, personnel, financial) to implement the National program for screening of breast cancer in the Republic of Serbia. Methods. Three possible scenarios have been prepared (optimistic, realistic and pessimistic) based on the expected coverage by screening of women aged 45 to 69 years, and time, personnel and financial feasibility estimates were made for a two-year screening cycle. Results. Time aspect of feasibility even under conditions of ?relaxation? of the assumption on the number of working days during the year did not question feasibility of any of the scenarios. Personnel feasibility is only possible in the pessimistic scenario, while the financial feasibility only makes sense in optimistic scenario as the least unfavorable solution due to economies of scale. Conclusion. Establishment of the initial base of skilled radiologists and radiology technicians and the system for their continuous medical education as well as allocation of specific MoH budget line for screening program expenditures, along with donated mammographs and good organization and coordination, may provide unobstructed implementation of the National program for early detection of breast cancer in the Republic of Serbia.

Development, Validation, and Implementation of a Short Breast Health Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadaf Alipour ◽  
Hadi Rashidi ◽  
Khadije Maajani ◽  
Marzieh Orouji ◽  
Yas Eskandari
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Breast Health ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
Validity Index ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Content Validity Index ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Health status and perception can be assessed by general or disease-specific questionnaires, the latter are more sensitive. Considering the importance of breast health in women’s lives and the lack of any pertinent questionnaire, we performed this study to develop a valid and reliable short BH questionnaire (BHQ); and then use it for the assessment of participants. Methods We first designed and developed the instrument, followed by measurement of inter-rater agreement IRA, content validity including content validity index (I-CVI) and scale content validity index (S-CVI), and reliability (through internal consistency and test-retest). We then included eligible women with normal breasts and benign breast disorders who attended our breast clinic. Results The IRA index (78.6%) showed optimal relevance and clarity of the questionnaire. The content validity was acceptable; with an S-CVI of 87.35 and 84.42 for clarity and relevance, respectively. One question was eliminated (I-CVI < 70%). The internal reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93). For external consistency, three questions were eliminated (intraclass correlation coefficient < 0.7), the rest of the questions showed good and excellent reliability. In the next step, BH in the 350 eligible participants showed an overall score of 55.86 ± 11.57. Among different variables, age was the only one that showed a significant direct relationship with BH. A history of breast surgery for benign lesions and a family history of breast cancer did not affect BH. Conclusion This study introduces a valid reliable 11-item BHQ. We propose its use in various conditions throughout breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment; and in the assessment of BH in various physiologic and reproductive situations.

scholarly journals Challenges, Opportunities, and Priorities for Advancing Breast Cancer Control in Zambia: A Consultative Meeting on Breast Cancer Control

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Cabanes ◽  
Sharon Kapambwe ◽  
Susan Citonje-Msadabwe ◽  
Groesbeck P. Parham ◽  
Kennedy Lishimpi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Breast Cancer Mortality ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
National Breast ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Breast Cancer Control

In 2016, the Zambian government made cancer control a national priority and released a National Cancer Control Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2021, which focuses on malignancies of the breast, cervix, and prostate, and retinoblastoma. The plan calls for a collective reduction in the cancer burden by 50%. In support of this vision, Susan G. Komen sponsored a consultative meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in September 2017 to bring together the country’s main breast cancer stakeholders and identify opportunities to improve breast cancer control. The recommendations generated during the discussions are presented. There was general agreement that the first step toward breast cancer mortality reduction should consist of implementation of early detection service platforms focused on women who are symptomatic. Participants also agreed that the management of all components of the national breast cancer control program should be integrated and led by the Ministry of Health. As much as possible, early detection and treatment services presently offered by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program of Zambia and Cancer Diseases Hospital should be leveraged. Efforts are under way through multiple stakeholders to implement the following recommendations: development of national guidelines for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, training of breast surgeons, implementation of early detection and surgical treatment service platforms at the district-hospital level, and epidemiologic research, including the improvement of electronic recording mechanisms.

scholarly journals KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AMONG WOMEN WITH TEENAGE DAUGHTERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewi Andriani ◽  
Restuning Widiasih ◽  
Citra Windani Mambang S
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Breast Self Examination ◽  
Self Examination ◽  
Women's Knowledge ◽  
Women’S Knowledge

Background, the incidence of breast cancer in women increases every year worldwide including Indonesia. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is an early detection method for detecting breast cancer that can be done by all women. However, research in Indonesia that examines women's knowledge about BSE, especially in women who have teenage daughters is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify women's knowledge about BSE, especially women with teenage daughters. Method, This study was quantitative descriptive research. The samples were selected using the total sampling technique. The number of samples was 138 women who have teenage daughters. This study was conducted in Sarijadi Village, Bandung. The research instrument was a knowledge questionnaire about BSE. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution. The results of the study, women had a moderate level of knowledge about BSE (51.4%) Women's knowledge was good in the component of purposes and benefits of the BSE (79.7%), and they had poor understanding related to identifying sources to conduct BSE to their daughters (73.2%), Conclusions and recommendation, women have good knowledge about the purposes and benefits of BSE, however they had lack of knowledge about the role of women in supporting girls to conduct BSE.  Women need information from health workers relates to their roles in conducting BSE to their daughters. Further research is needed to examine the knowledge and role of fathers in women’s health especially daughters including early detection of cancer as supporting and maintaining daughters' health in the family are parents’ responsibilities including father.  Keywords: BSE, breast cancer, health knowledge, mothers, teenage women.

scholarly journals PINK RIBBON AND PINKTOBER

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Sofia Shehzad
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Atomic Energy Commission ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Awareness ◽  
National Breast ◽  
Breast Cancer Awareness

The month of October comes with a familiar sight of ‘pink ribbon’ display and events organized in this context, globally. While this is an integral part of the international calendar in the developed world, developing countries like Pakistan attach little importance to promotion of this concept brand. One of the reasons for this apathy is a lack understanding amongst the social circles and general population about what the pink ribbon advocates. This editorial is meant to highlight the true spirit and importance of this symbol.  A ‘pink ribbon’ is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness with the month of October referred to as ‘pinktober’ chosen as the breast cancer awareness month in many countries over the world. Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst the female gender with more than one million women worldwide diagnosed with the disease every year. The WHO in its global health estimate reported 508000 deaths in women worldwide from this disease in the year 20111.More than 58% of deaths from breast cancer are known to occur in less developed countries2, which sets aside the misconception that the disease is a problem of the more affluent class. Early detection of breast cancer with its favorable impact on morbidity and mortality associated with the disease is now established as the cornerstone of management3.  Against the backdrop of the magnitude and impact of this condition there is a dire need for creating awareness about the symptoms and treatment of the disease as well as promoting research and facilities leading to early detection, multimodality treatment and support for those suffering from the disease.  Pink ribbon as a concept brand allows a platform to achieve these goals by raising money and encouraging scientific progress. The first known use of Pink Ribbon dates back to 1991 when it was handed out by the Susan G Koman foundation to participants of a New York city race for breast cancer survivors and adopted as an official symbol in 19924. Buying, wearing, displaying or sponsoring pink ribbon is a sign of support for women health. Thousands of pink ribbon products are advertised and sold each year with part of the earnings spent in promoting breast cancer awareness and funding research.  The month of October as the national breast cancer awareness month (NBCAM) was started in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca. The organization behind NBCAM is keen on promoting mammography as a screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. Running, walking and riding besides observing pink dress day and pink hijab day form the essence of events organized globally as fundraisers under this banner.  The campaign for helping breast cancer patients is not limited to diagnosis and treatment only. Addressing the burden of physical, social and psychological stigma associated with the disease is as important as the initial steps in management. The term She-ro, derived from hero is sometimes used to refer to those suffering from the disease. After treatment, the she-ro regains her femininity by using breast reconstruction, prosthetic devices, wigs, cosmetics, and clothing to present an aesthetically appealingappearance5.Breast cancer culture, or pink ribbon culture, refers to steps taken in public to effectively address different aspects of the disease.  It supports the efforts of the doctors, promotes diagnostic modalities such as mammograms and various treatment options on offer for breast cancer patients.  Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia. One out of every nine women is at the risk of breast cancer making the Pakistani women most susceptible to the disease after the non Arab Israeli women6. Studies have shown that a significant number of young women make the afore-mentioned list. Therefore, Pink Ribbon has reading-prc-Iterature been running Youth Awareness Program in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) since 2012. This program not only educates the young women about the importance of self-examination and screening modalities like ultrasound scan and mammograms but also through their interaction with members of their family and society makes them conscious of the disease and advocating regular check-ups. Benefit is also derived from established women groups and Lady Health workers who are in contact with the population in far-flung areas of the country, in spreading awareness to the grass root level.  In collaboration with Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission hospitals, Pink ribbon has launched a free nationwide Breast Cancer screening program and is working on building a dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.  Realizing the disease burden and the health, social and financial implications of breast cancer it is imperative that Pink Ribbon as a source of Breast Cancer awareness is propagated in the society and an all out moral and material support be extended to the organizations working under this banner. 

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